New Law Turns Auditors
Into Reluctant Detectives

Investors hoping a new law would help protect them against white-collar crime are running into a problem: Many auditors dread being gumshoes.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act enacted last year demands that auditors try much harder than in the past to uncover the sort of crimes that commonly bedevil companies and their investors. But many auditors dread the liability they might incur if they don't comply -- not to mention...